I make sure to wake up in
time, so I can have breakfast and start the three kilometer walk to Marian
Dearit at 8:00 in the morning, so I will be in time for the procession.

The heat is already
uncomfortable. Hundreds of people walk in one direction to witness the
festival. Small Toyota mini busses serve as public transport for two Nakfa
only. But they are so crowded that I prefer to walk.

I meet a lot of people that
know me by now. Together we walk the dusty streets just outside the center
of Keren. We arrive well in time to witness the whole ceremony.

More than once I am invited to
sit down to join a coffee ceremony. Soft drinks and water are sold just
outside the compound. Others sell candles and religious kitsch.

I walk through the crowd for a
few hours, enjoying the shade of the nim trees. A young girl is coming
towards me. She want to invite me to the picnic of class 7c of the St.
Joseph School of Keren Lalay.

We make photo's with their
camera. Unfortunately they spoil the film, opening the camera before
rewinding it. I make some pictures with my camera, and promise to send
them the pictures.

Around 15:00 the party is over
and most of the people return to their homes. When I see an overloaded
group of youngsters, I join them and offer to help them to carry their
stuff. The gesture is much appreciated.

Procession around the shrine
of the Holy Mary of Mariam Dearit - Keren.

Procession around the shrine
of the Holy Mary of Mariam Dearit - Keren.

Procession around the shrine
of the Holy Mary of Mariam Dearit - Keren.

Procession around the shrine
of the Holy Mary of Mariam Dearit - Keren.

Procession around the shrine
of the Holy Mary of Mariam Dearit - Keren.

Procession around the shrine
of the Holy Mary of Mariam Dearit - Keren.

Small scale trade at the
festival of Mariam Dearit - Keren Eritrea.

The chapel of Mariam Dearit
- Keren Eritrea.

People gathered around the
baobab tree with the shrine of the Holy Mary
Festival of Mariam Dearit - Keren Eritrea.